Slideshow: Cat Survives Severe Chemical Burns

When ASPCA staffer Rena L. saw a veterinarian cradling a tiny animal in her arms, she wondered, “Is that a turkey? What’s a turkey doing at the ASPCA Adoption Center?”

Then she realized: The tiny animal was in fact a cat—one who had suffered severe chemical burns on her back, scalp and other parts of her body. Kylie’s ears were singed off, and she couldn’t walk or close her red and cloudy eyes.

“My heart was completely broken,” remembers Rena, ASPCA Adoption Center Department Coordinator. “Ever since that moment, I’d go visit her when I was done with my office work, for 30 minutes to an hour.”

Late last year, Kylie was found hiding behind some bushes, quietly suffering, when two dogs sniffed her out while out on a walk. The dogs’ pet parent took the first step toward saving Kylie’s life: He brought her to ASPCA Animal Hospital. But Kylie’s struggle was far from over, and our veterinary staff didn’t know if she’d pull through.

“It was really touch-and-go with Kylie because she’d lost so much skin,” recalls ASPCA veterinarian Dr. Patricia Wagner, who treated Kylie. “We didn’t know if she’d be able to blink, or walk, ever again.”

Kylie needed several surgeries, specialist care and extensive treatment for her injuries. She spent months at the ASPCA Animal Hospital, where everyone fell in love with Kylie and her sweet, patient personality. “Everyone knew who Kylie was,” says Dr. Wagner. “There were so many people here pulling for her. We didn’t want to fail.”

Then one day it was clear to our veterinarians that Kylie’s recovery had turned a corner—she was out of the woods. In fact, Kylie was ready to continue her recovery in a foster home. Rena’s was an obvious choice. Rena began fostering Kylie in February, eagerly taking on the medical regime her new foster kitty required: pain medicine, fish oil and eye drops, all twice a day on a rigid schedule. To protect Kylie’s burns and promote healing, Rena purchased her a T-shirt. When the shirt didn’t quite fit, Rena had it tailored.

Today, Kylie is an integral part of Rena’s family and fast friends with Lafaille cats Gizmo and Cleopatra, a Beagle called Maya, and Baby Jin, a four-and-a-half-pound Chihuahua who is her playmate and constant companion. Rena continues to work with Dr. Wagner on Kylie’s treatment, and they’re hopeful she won’t need medication one day.

“Kylie will never, ever give up no matter what,” Rena says. “It was her spirit that got her through this. She’s really an incredible cat.”

It's not only a sicko who abuses defenseless animals, but also a coward!! They would not dare inflict their evil acts on a human being...they know they might just get their asses kicked or worse!!! I cannot understand such cowardly evil people. Put them in a ring with a boxer and some bad ass dogs and let them have fun with the coward!!!

Finally!!! In Canada we have a Member of Parliament that has given the go-ahead to collect signatures to implement a NATIONAL Animal Abuse Registry!!!!! The wonderful world-wide web has enabled those of us who speak up for animals' rights, to come together in vast numbers and in a minimal amount of time! Now these self-centered, self-cautious politicians have no choice but to address the responses of thousands that demand meaningful and immediate reforms for those who cannot help themselves. The special interest groups are now shifting from greed-mongering, mega-businesses to WE THE PEOPLE!!!!

Congrats to neighbors to the north. Compassion for animals is and should be a global goal. Hats off to you Canadian Citizens for pushing your politicians forward. We know the feeling here just south of you. Bravo!!

Thank you Suz and Laurie and everyone who responded to this story. I couldn't stop crying after seeing this poor kitty. I feel her pain and am proud she didn't stop fighting. But that is the difference between animals and people. They don't know how not to live. I am a cat caregiver, rescuer, and I always rehabilitate them because of the trauma (PTSD) they suffer. I find homes for abandon, abused and lost cats. The neglect is so large spread it is almost impossible to help all pets so I help all that cross my path. I love all animals and want to see more being done to the people who get away with the abuse. I used to think it was ignorance. Why do these people think it is ok to drop a cat off in the country to be eaten by another animal or starve to death. All my rescues were starving and injured. The Humane Society in Austin Texas has a program to help animals, pet or stray and it is very good. But all Humane Society offices do not have the same program. It would be nice if all cities and states had similar plans to help. But we need new laws to prosecute the offenders. I personally believe they should receive the punishment they caused the animal. The people who hurt defenseless animals are sick and it is true they will also hurt people because they don't care about who they hurt. I heard a story of a judge who sentenced a woman to sit in the woods overnight the same way she abandoned several little kittens to do. The kittens didn't have shelter, food, water or a mommy to take care of them. They were scared, cold, and hungry and probably didn't make it. Keep up the good fight, I will.

Yes i AGREE BIG TIME with Suz. peple getting away with too much theres no rules ,laws or discipline so they think they can do what they want and ,take it out on poor por animals that aint done nothing wrong. It makes sick and very very angry.